Description
Book SynopsisContemporary Japanese Philosophy: A Reader is an anthology of contemporary (post-war) Japanese philosophy showcasing a range of important philosophers and philosophical trends from 1945 to the present. This important and comprehensive volume introduces the reader to a variety of trends and schools of thought. The first part consists of selections and excerpts of writings from contemporary Japanese philosophers who have made original contributions to Japanese philosophy and promise contributions to world philosophy. Most of these selections appear in English for the first time. The second part consists of original essays written for this volume by scholars in Japanese philosophy on specific trends and tendencies of contemporary Japanese philosophy, such as feminist philosophy, the Kyoto School, and environmental philosophy, as well as future directions the field is likely to take. Ideal for classroom use, this is the ultimate resource for students and teachers of Japanese philosophy.
Trade ReviewAmong the growing body of literature on Japanese philosophy, this anthology is an important addition which gives a voice to less-studied authors who deserve attention. John Krummel’s excellent translations make these authors intelligible for a wider audience. As this collection shows, Japanese philosophy is richer and more complex than Kyôto School philosophy. -- Hans-Peter Liederbach, Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University
This collection presents eloquent translations of essays by ten leading contemporary philosophers rarely considered together, and allows us to engage a broad range of recent philosophical activity in Japan. Its comprehensive introduction offers clear entry to the entire field as well as to each represented thinker, and three more essays survey feminist thought, the postwar Kyoto School, and other philosophical trends. -- John C. Maraldo, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of North Florida
Japanese philosophy currently occupies an important place in world philosophy. This book introduces texts written in the second half of the 20th century, thus closing a very important gap in Western literature. Contemporary Japanese Philosophy is an essential source for understanding philosophical tendencies in the last 50 years in Japan. -- Rolf Elberfeld, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hildesheim
Krummel has made available the translations of ten original thinkers and three leading scholars from the discipline of contemporary Japanese philosophy. His translation demonstrates tremendous judicious fairness to each original work such that readers should be able to feel the stylistic differences of the authors. This polyvocal book has laid a foundation for future research projects in relation to the works of these Japanese philosophers. -- Takeshi Morisato, Researcher in the Department of Philosophy, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Table of ContentsIntroduction / Part I: Selected Texts / 1. 'To Be' and 'To Do' (1958), Maruyama Masao (1914-1996) / 2. Marginal Art (1960), Tsurumi Shunsuke (1922-2015) / 3. Consciousness and Essence (1983), Izutsu Toshihiko (1914-1993) / 4. Toward an East-West Dialogue (1991), Yuasa Yasuo (1925-2005) / 5. Horizon and Beyond Horizon (1992), Ueda Shizuteru (1926-) / 6. The Realism of 'Form qua Emptiness' (1993), Ōmori Shōzō (1921-) / 7. Common Sense and Place (1979), Nakamura Yūjirō (1925-) / 8. Time as the Between (1982), Kimura Bin (1931-) / 9. Forms of the Articulation of the World of Things (1982), Hiromatsu Wataru (1933-1994) / 10. Appearance and Copula (1973), Sakabe Megumi (1936-2009) / 11. The Will to Architecture (1979), Karatani Kōjin (1941-) / Part II: Selected Essays / 12. The Contemporary Situation of Kyoto School Philosophy, Fujita Masakatsu / 13. Environmental Philosophy in Contemporary Japan, Kazashi Nobuo / 14. Feminist Philosophy/Philosophy of Gender in Contemporary Japan, Naka Mao / 15. Contemporary Japanese Philosophy: Trends and Prospects, Uehara Mayuko / Further Reading / Index
